Edging Tiles

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an edging tile 1 that can be assembled together with other interlocking tiles to form a planar base that can be used as a helicopter landing pad, roadway, taxiway or general hard standing, for example. The edging tile  1  includes an interlocking portion  2   a  including coupling means  8, 10  to enable the edging tile to be connected to one or more of the other interlocking tiles and a sloping ramp portion  14  that in use defines an outer edge of the planar base.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to edging tiles, and in particular toedging tiles that can be connected with other tiles to form a planarbase.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide tiles that can be connected together to form aplanar base that can be used as a helicopter landing pad, roadway,taxiway or general hard-standing, for example. Such tiles areparticularly useful for temporary construction because they can beeasily transported and assembled together on site.

European Patent 0621373 (Krauss-Maffei AG) discloses a hexagonal tilehaving a coupling projection 5, 7 on each of its six sides. On threenon-adjacent sides the coupling projections are designed as a hook 5with a hook profile 9 that turns upwards as shown in FIG. 4 of EuropeanPatent 0621373. On the other three sides the coupling projections aredesigned as eyes 7 for connecting with a hook of a neighbouring tile. Asshown in FIG. 4 of European Patent 0621373, the eyes 7 form a roundedlink 11 that projects downwards and defines a recess 13 for receivingthe hook profile. The recess 13 is closed off from the upper side of thetile by a wall 16 so that the tile has a continuous surface. A pluralityof identical tiles can be assembled together using the couplingprojections to form a planar base having the desired size and shape.

In some cases it is desirable to provide the planar base with some sortof ramped edging to provide a smooth transition between the surroundingground and the upper surface of the planar base. This can assistvehicles to maneuver onto the planar base. This ramped edging usuallytakes the form of metal or heavy-duty plastic strips that are overlaidalong the edges of the planar base and secured in position using groundanchors.

Hexagonal tiles pose a particular problem at the edges of the planarbase. Although a hexagonal structure is very stable because each tile isconnected to six neighbouring tiles, the edges of the planar base willnot be straight. It will be readily appreciated that for a generallyrectangular planar base, an opposing two of the edges will have a seriesof triangular-shaped gaps and the other two opposing edges will have aseries of trapezium-shaped gaps. These gaps can be filled by specialtriangular- and trapezium-shaped tiles (edging tiles) to provide astraight edge to the planar base which can then be overlaid by thestrips of the ramped edging. However, the overall stability of the edgeregions is not as good as the rest of the planar base because thetriangular- and trapezium-shaped tiles are only connected at most to twoand three hexagonal tiles, respectively. The corners of the planar baseare especially vulnerable because here a trapezium-shaped tile may beconnected to two hexagonal tiles and one triangular-shaped tile.Similarly, a triangular-shaped tile may be connected to just a singlehexagonal tile and one trapezium-shaped tile. Overlaying the strips ofthe ramped edging on these edging tiles is therefore not ideal becauseof the large forces that are applied to the edge regions by the passageof a vehicle over the ramped edging. This problem is exacerbated by thefact that the strips of the ramped edging are not connected directly tothe underlying edging tiles.

For rapid deployment it is desirable to minimize the number ofindividual component parts that need to be carried to assemble a planarbase. It would therefore be particularly useful not to have to store andtransport both edging tiles and strips for forming the ramped edging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to overcome the problems mentioned above andprovides an edging tile that can be assembled together with otherinterlocking tiles to form a planar base, the edging tile comprising:

-   -   an interlocking portion including coupling means to enable the        edging tile to be connected to one or more of the other        interlocking tiles; and    -   a sloping ramp portion that in use defines an outer edge of the        planar base;    -   wherein the coupling means includes a hook means to enable the        edging tile to be connected to a channel means of an adjacent        interlocking tile and a channel means to enable the edging tile        to be connected to a hook means of an adjacent interlocking        tile; and    -   wherein the hook means and the channel means include an aperture        for receiving a locking peg.

The interlocking tiles can be square or rectangular shaped. However, itis generally preferred that the interlocking tiles are hexagonal shapedso that each interlocking tile is connected to six adjacent interlockingtiles instead of four. This improves the overall strength and rigidityof the planar base. If the interlocking tiles are hexagonal then it willbe readily appreciated that the sides of a generally rectangularassembled planar base will not be perfectly straight. An opposing two ofthe edges will have a series of triangular-shaped gaps and the other twoopposing edges will have a series of trapezium-shaped gaps. These gapsare filled by the edging tiles of the present invention to providestraight edges to the planar base, the edges being ultimately defined bythe ramp portions. The interlocking portion of the edging tile cantherefore be substantially trapezium-shaped or substantiallytriangular-shaped depending on which of the gaps it is designed to fill.

The width and angle of slope of the integral ramp portion can bedetermined with reference to the intended use of the planar base. Forexample, a wide and shallow ramp portion might be preferred if theplanar base is going to be used by civilian vehicles whereas a narrowand steep ramp portion might be acceptable for military vehicles.

It will be readily appreciated that any means of connecting theinterlocking tiles together in a quick and easy manner may be used.Alternate edges of the interlocking tiles are provided with integralcoupling means in the form of hook means and channel means. The couplingmeans provided on the interlocking portion of the edging tile ispreferably the same as, or at the very least compatible with, thecoupling means provided on the interlocking tiles. The consistent use ofthe same coupling means on the edge tiles and the interlocking tileshelps to make the planar base easy to assemble. In some cases, thearrangement of the coupling means might have to be slightly different toform so-called “right hand” and “left hand” edging tiles. For example,if the interlocking portion of the edging tile is trapezium shaped withthree outer edges (the fourth edge being integral with the ramp portion)then the two outer edges may have channels and the intermediate edge mayhave a hook. These edging tiles can be used to fill the trapezium-shapedgaps on one side of the assembled planar base. However, thetrapezium-shaped gaps on the opposite side of the assembled planar basemay have to be filled by edging tiles where the two outer edges of theinterlocking portion have hooks and the intermediate edge has a channel.

Each edging tile may also be provided with wing portions having couplingmeans such that an edging tile can be connected along two edges (i.e. anedge of the trapezium- or triangular-shaped interlocking portion and anedge of a wing portion) to the same interlocking tile. The couplingmeans provided on the wing portions is preferably the same as thecoupling means provided on the interlocking portion.

The interlocking portion and/or the ramp portion of the edging tile mayfurther include coupling means to enable the edging tile to be connectedto one or more adjacent edging tiles. These coupling means can be thesame as the coupling means provided on the interlocking portion.However, it may often be more appropriate for these coupling means to bedifferent.

The hook means and the channel means of the coupling means provided onthe interlocking portion and/or the wing portions of the edging tileinclude an aperture for receiving a locking peg. A correspondingaperture may be provided on the hook means and the channel means of theinterlocking tiles. Once a hook means of an edging tile has beenreceived in a channel means of an adjacent interlocking tile (or viceversa) a locking peg can be inserted through the aligned apertures inthe channel means and the hook means to more securely connect the edgingtile and the interlocking tile together. Each respective hook means andchannel means may include more than one aperture depending on thecircumstances. The locking peg will normally be freely removable fromthe aperture, but can optionally be more permanently fixed if the planarbase is to remain assembled for relatively long periods of time. Theinterlocking tiles can also be secured using ties or connector pieces orby a more permanent mechanical connection.

The ramp portion in use preferably defines a substantially straightouter edge of the planar base. However, the ramp portion can be shapedto make the outer edge of the planar base any suitable shape such ascurved or incorporate cut-out portions, for example.

The edging tile may further include an aperture for receiving a lightingunit that is optionally self-contained. The aperture can be provided atany suitable location. The aperture can be plugged or capped by asuitably shaped cover if it is not used.

The edging tile may further include an aperture for receiving a groundanchor. The ground anchors stabilize the planar base and prevent it fromlifting if the downwash caused by the helicopter blades during approach,takeoff or landing gets underneath the planar base, for example. Thenumber of ground anchors that are needed will depend on a number offactors including the ground conditions, the type of air or groundtraffic that will be landing on, or travelling over, the planar base andthe environmental conditions (high ambient wind conditions may enhancethe effect of helicopter downwash, for example).

At least one cut-out portion can be provided in the edging tile todefine an aperture between the edging tile and an adjacent edging tileor interlocking tile when the edging tile is connected to that adjacentedging tile or interlocking tile. The aperture can help to prevent thelifting caused by helicopter downwash by allowing any air that getsunderneath the planar base to escape. However, the size of the apertureis preferably not so large as to allow large amounts of dust to blowthrough the planar base with the downwash and decrease visibility (i.e.cause “brown out”). The apertures also improve the drainage to allowsurface water to flow off the planar base and make it easier to lift theedging tiles when the planar base is dismantled if it has been laid onmuddy or boggy ground. The cut-out portion is preferably formed in theinterlocking portion of the edging tile or between the interlockingportion and wing portion of the edging tile.

For ease of transport and assembly, it is generally preferred that theedging tile is made of a lightweight but rigid plastics material such ashigh impact, flame retardant and UV stabilized modified polypropylene,for example. The edging tile should ideally have high resilience andstrength, even at low temperatures. It should also have good chemicalresistance, particularly against oil spills, grease or petroleum spirit.Other materials such as a lightweight metal can also be used.

The present invention further provides a kit comprising a plurality ofedging tiles as described above and a plurality of interlocking tilesthat can be assembled together to form a planar base.

The present invention further provides a planar base comprising aplurality of edging tiles according to any preceding claim and aplurality of interlocking tiles assembled together.

The planar base can be rapidly deployed and recovered. To deploy theplanar base the interlocking tiles and edging tiles are unloaded andthen assembled together manually with the edging tiles being received inthe trapezium- and triangular-shaped gaps between the interlocking tilessuch that the sloping ramp portions define the outer edges of the planarbase. The edging tiles are connected directly to the adjacentinterlocking panels (and optionally to each other) by coupling means andlocking pegs are inserted into the aligned apertures in the hook meansand channel means. This provides an extremely strong and rigid rampededge that can cope with the passage of heavy vehicles. Providing theedging tiles with an integral ramp portion eliminates the need totransport separate strips.

When assembled, the planar base is sufficiently strong to support heavydownward loading. This means that the planar base can be used as ahelicopter landing pads, roadways, runways, taxiways, generalhard-standing and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the upper surface of a first edgingtile according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the lower surface of the firstedging tile of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the upper surface of a secondedging tile according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a top view of part of a planar base incorporating the firstedging tile of FIG. 1 and the second edging tile of FIG. 3 together withstandard hexagonal interlocking tiles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an edging tile 1 made of a durable and lightweight plasticsmaterial. The edging tile 1 has an interlocking portion 2 a that issubstantially trapezium-shaped and wing portions 2 b. A cut-out portion4 is provided between the interlocking portion 2 a and the wing portions2 b to define an aperture. Two sides 6 a and 6 c of the interlockingportion 2 a have hooks 8 and the remaining side 6 b has a channel 10(best seen in FIG. 2). A channel 12 is also provided in each of the wingportions 2 b. An alternative edging tile (not shown) may be arrangedsuch that the two sides 6 a and 6 c of the interlocking portion 2 a havechannels and the remaining side 6 b has a hook. In this case, hookswould also be provided on each of the wing portions 2 b.

The edging tile 1 has a sloping ramp portion 14 that is angled toprovide a smooth transition between the upper surface of theinterlocking portion 2 a and the surrounding ground. The ramp portion 14has a straight edge 16 but this could be shaped differently ifappropriate. An individual attachment hook 18 is provided at one end ofthe ramp portion 14 to enable the edging tile 1 to be connected to anadjacent edging tile.

The upper surface of the edging tile 1 includes a number of raisedprojections 19 to provide a non-slip surface. The underside of theedging tile 1 has a pattern of structural reinforcing ribs 20 tostrengthen the edging tile.

The hooks 8 and channels 10 and 12 include apertures 22 into whichlocking pegs (not shown) can be inserted to secure the edging tiles 1 toadjacent interlocking tiles.

FIG. 3 shows a slightly different edging tile 1′ where the interlockingportion 24 is triangular-shaped. One of the sides 26 a of theinterlocking portion 24 has a hook 8 and the other one of the sides 26 bhas a channel 10. The edging tile 1′ does not include wing portions.Cut-out portions (or notches) 28 are formed in the edges of theinterlocking portion 24. The sloping ramp portion 14 includes anindividual attachment hook 18 to enable the edging tile 1′ to beconnected to an adjacent edging tile. Other parts of the edging title 1′that are the same as the edging tile 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 have been giventhe same reference numerals.

FIG. 4 shows part of a simple planar base 100 that can be assembled froma number of hexagonal interlocking tiles 102 and a series of edgingtiles 1 and 1′. The interlocking tiles 102 are of known construction andare connected together using hooks and channels that are the same as, orat least compatible with, those provided on the trapezium- andtriangular-shaped interlocking portions 2 a and 24 of the edging tiles 1and 1′. It can be seen that an edge of the planar base has a series oftriangular-shaped gaps and the other edge has a series oftrapezium-shaped gaps. The trapezium-shaped gaps are filled by theedging tiles 1 that have a trapezium-shaped interlocking portion 2 a.The triangular-shaped gaps are filled by the edging tiles 1′ that have atriangular-shaped interlocking portion 24. The completed planar base 100has straight edges defined by the outer edges 16 of the ramp portions 14of the edging tiles 1 and 1′.

Each edging tile 1 is connected to its neighbouring interlocking tiles102 by means of the hooks 8 and channels 10. If the corner edging tile 1a is taken as an example then the hook of the interlocking tile 102 a toits immediate left is received in the channel 10 provided on itsadjacent side 6 b. The channel of the interlocking tile 102 b to itsupper left receives the hook 8 provided on its adjacent side 6 a. Thehook of the interlocking tile 102 b is also received in the channel 12provided in the adjacent wing portion 2 b. The edging tile 1 a at thebottom right-hand corner is also connected to the adjacent edging tile1′ with the hook 8 provided on the adjacent side 6 c being received in achannel provided in the interlocking portion of the edging tile 1′.(Note that the edging tiles 1′ of FIG. 4 therefore have a slightlydifferent configuration to those shown in FIG. 3 with a channel in placeof a hook and a vice versa. Edging tiles 1′ having the configuration ofFIG. 3 will be used to fill the triangular-shaped gaps in the opposingside of the planar base 100.)

Finally, the edging tile 1 a at the bottom right-hand corner isconnected to the edging tile 1 b that is immediately next to it (i.e.the edging tiles with the short sides of the ramp section in abutment)by the individual attachment hook 18 provided on the adjacent edgingtile 1 b. The individual attachment hook 18 provided on the edging tile1 a at the bottom right-hand corner is not needed and it can beoptionally removed. Locking pegs (not shown) are received into theapertures 22 provided in the hooks 8 and channels 10 and 12. Theseextend through correspondingly aligned apertures in the hooks andchannels of the neighbouring interlocking tiles and edging tiles toprovide a more reliable connection. The fact that the edging tiles 1 and1′ incorporate a ramp section 14 and are connected directly to theinterlocking tiles 102 that form the main part of the planar base meansthat the ramp sections are strong and well suited to cope with the largeforces that are applied when vehicles move from the surrounding groundonto the planar base.

1. An edging tile that can be assembled together with other interlockingtiles to form a planar base, the edging tile comprising: an interlockingportion including coupling means to enable the edging tile to beconnected to one or more of the other interlocking tiles; and a slopingramp portion that in use defines an outer edge of the planar base;wherein the coupling means includes a hook means to enable the edgingtile to be connected to a channel means of an adjacent interlocking tileand a channel means to enable the edging tile to be connected to a hookmeans of an adjacent interlocking tile; and wherein the hook means andthe channel means include an aperture for receiving a locking peg. 2.The edging tile of claim 1, wherein the interlocking portion issubstantially triangular-shaped.
 3. The edging tile of claim 1, whereinthe interlocking portion is substantially trapezium-shaped.
 4. Theedging tile of claim 1, wherein the interlocking portion includescoupling means to enable the edging tile to be connected to one or moreadjacent edging tiles.
 5. The edging tile of claim 1, wherein the rampportion in use defines a substantially straight outer edge of the planarbase.
 6. The edging tile of claim 1, further comprising an aperture forreceiving a lighting unit.
 7. The edging tile according to claim 1,further comprising an aperture for receiving a ground anchor.
 8. Theedging tile of claim 1, further comprising at least one cut-out portionto define an aperture between the edging tile and an adjacent edgingtile or interlocking tile when the edging tile is connected to thatadjacent edging tile or interlocking tile.
 9. The edging tile of claim8, wherein the cut-out portion is formed in the interlocking portion orbetween the interlocking portion and a wing portion.
 10. The edging tileof claim 1, wherein the edging tile is made of a rigid plasticsmaterial.
 11. A kit comprising a plurality of edging tiles having aninterlocking portion including coupling means to enable the edging tileto be connected to one or more of the other interlocking tiles; and asloping ramp portion that in use defines an outer edge of the planarbase; wherein the coupling means includes a hook means to enable theedging tile to be connected to a channel means of an adjacentinterlocking tile and a channel means to enable the edging tile to beconnected to a hook means of an adjacent interlocking tile; and whereinthe hook means and the channel means include an aperture for receiving alocking peg; and a plurality of interlocking tiles that can be assembledtogether to form a planar base.
 12. The kit of claim 11, wherein theinterlocking tiles are hexagonal shaped and the interlocking portion ofeach edging tile is substantially trapezium-shaped.
 13. The kit of claim11, wherein the interlocking tiles are hexagonal shaped and theinterlocking portion of each edging tile is substantiallytriangular-shaped.
 14. A planar base comprising a plurality of edgingtiles having an interlocking portion including coupling means to enablethe edging tile to be connected to one or more of the other interlockingtiles; and a sloping ramp portion that in use defines an outer edge ofthe planar base; wherein the coupling means includes a hook means toenable the edging tile to be connected to a channel means of an adjacentinterlocking tile and a channel means to enable the edging tile to beconnected to a hook means of an adjacent interlocking tile; and whereinthe hook means and the channel means include an aperture for receiving alocking peg; and a plurality of interlocking tiles assembled together.